Branching pipe joint and an air conditioner provided therewith

ABSTRACT

A branching pipe joint includes a substantially Y-pipe shaped branch part, a first branch nozzle part, a second branch nozzle part, and a first branch pipe. The first branch pipe has an end connected to a tip part of the first branch nozzle part during plumbing work. The first branch nozzle part and the second branch nozzle part are disposed so that a spacing between a portion of the tip part of the first branch nozzle part nearest the second branch nozzle part side and a portion of the second branch nozzle part nearest the tip part of the first branch nozzle part is less than or equal to 40 mm.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a branching pipe joint and an airconditioner provided therewith.

BACKGROUND ART

Conventionally, there is a so-called separate type air conditionerconstituted by connecting outdoor units and indoor units via aconnecting piping, such as a gas refrigerant connecting piping and aliquid refrigerant connecting piping. An example of such an airconditioner 1 is one that, as depicted in FIG. 1, disposes a plurality(four units in FIG. 1) of indoor units 3 and branches a connectingpiping 4 so that a refrigerant can be distributed therefrom to allindoor units 3, and also disposes a plurality (three units in FIG. 1) ofoutdoor units 2 and branches the connecting piping 4 (a gas refrigerantconnecting piping 5 and a liquid refrigerant connecting piping 6 inFIG. 1) so that the refrigerant can be distributed therefrom to alloutdoor units 2.

The following explains the branch structure of the connecting piping 4for distributing the refrigerant to the plurality of outdoor units 2 andthe plurality of indoor units 3, e.g., the gas refrigerant connectingpiping 5 that distributes a gas refrigerant to the plurality of outdoorunits 2. The gas refrigerant connecting piping 5 principally comprises:a union connecting piping 51 that extends from the indoor units 3 to theplurality of outdoor units 2; a plurality (two in FIG. 1) of branchingpipe joints 52 connected to the union connecting piping 51 in accordancewith the number of outdoor units 2, and that distribute the flow of therefrigerant to two flows; branch connecting pipings 53 that each conjoinbranching pipe joints 52 as needed; and unit branch pipings 54 that eachconnect one of the branching pipe joints 52 and a connection port 21 ofthe corresponding outdoor unit 2. Such a gas refrigerant connectingpiping 5 is plumbed by connecting one of the branching pipe joints 52 tothe union connecting piping 51 by brazing and the like, connecting eachunit branch piping 54 to the connection port 21 of the correspondingoutdoor unit 2, and connecting each branch connecting piping 53 to thecorresponding branching pipe joint 52 by braising and the like. Inaddition, the branch structure of the gas refrigerant connecting piping5 for distributing the gas refrigerant to the plurality of indoor units3 is also constituted by connecting branching pipe joints 55, branchconnecting pipings 56, and unit branch pipings 57 to the unionconnecting piping 51, the same as above. Furthermore, the liquidrefrigerant connecting piping 6 also has a branch structure thatincludes branching pipe joints 62, 65, the same as the gas refrigerantconnecting piping 5.

Furthermore, examples of the branching pipe joints (the branching pipejoints 52, 55 of the gas refrigerant connecting piping 5 in FIG. 1) usedto branch such a connecting piping include a Y-shaped branch pipe 81 anda T-shaped branch pipe 91 depicted in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3.

The Y-shaped branch pipe 81 principally comprises a Y-shaped branch part82, and a first branch nozzle part 83 and a second branch nozzle part 84connected to the Y-shaped branch part 82. The Y-shaped branch part 82 isa substantially Y-pipe shaped member, and has an inlet pipe part 82 a,wherethrough flows the refrigerant that flows in from the unionconnecting piping or the branch connecting piping (corresponding to theunion connecting piping 51 and the branch connecting pipings 53 in FIG.1), and a first outlet pipe part 82 b and a second outlet pipe part 82c, wherethrough flows the refrigerant along a flow direction(hereinafter referred to as the first direction A) of the refrigerantflowing through the inlet pipe part 82 a and in directions along thefirst direction A substantially symmetric to a centerline O-O of theinlet pipe part 82 a. The first branch nozzle part 83 is a pipe memberconnected to the first outlet pipe part 82 b, and extends away from thesecond branch nozzle part 84 and then along the first direction A;further, at the tip thereof a first reducer pipe connecting part 83 a isformed, wherein the pipe diameter changes in steps so that it canconnect to a differently diametered pipe. The second branch nozzle part84 is a pipe member connected to the second outlet pipe part 82 c, andextends substantially straight along the first direction A; further, atthe tip thereof a second reducer pipe connecting part 84 a is formed,wherein the pipe diameter changes in steps, the same as the first branchnozzle part 83. Here, even if the unit branch piping (corresponding tothe unit branch piping 54 in FIG. 1) to be connected to the first branchnozzle part 83 is a differently diametered pipe, it is still possible tomake the connection by brazing and the like because the first branchnozzle part 83 can be made to conform to the pipe diameter of the unitbranch piping by cutting the first reducer pipe connecting part 83 ausing a pipe cutter. In addition, even if the branch connecting pipingor the unit branch piping to be connected to the second branch nozzlepart 84 is a differently diametered pipe, it is still possible to makethe connection by brazing and the like because the second branch nozzlepart 84 can be made to conform to the pipe diameter of the branchconnecting piping or the unit branch piping by cutting the secondreducer pipe connecting part 84 a using a pipe cutter, the same as thefirst reducer pipe connecting part 83 a. Furthermore, by making thefirst reducer pipe connecting part 83 a and the second reducer pipeconnecting part 84 a shaped so that the first branch nozzle part 83extends away from the second branch nozzle part 84 and then extendsalong the first direction A, as discussed above, a spacing is createdthat can secure the space needed to perform the cutting work with thepipe cutter (corresponding to the spacing S between the portion of thefirst reducer pipe connecting part 83 a nearest the second branch nozzlepart 84 side and the portion of the second branch nozzle part 84 nearestto the first reducer pipe connecting part 83 a of the first branchnozzle part 83 in FIG. 2).

In addition, the T-shaped branch pipe 91 principally comprises aT-shaped branch part 92, and a first branch nozzle part 93 and a secondbranch nozzle part 94 connected to the T-shaped branch part 92. TheT-shaped branch part 92 is a substantially T-shaped member, and has aninlet pipe part 92 a, wherethrough flows the refrigerant that flows infrom the union connecting piping or the branch connecting piping(corresponding to the union connecting piping 51 or the branchconnecting piping 53 in FIG. 1), a first outlet pipe part 92 b,wherethrough flows the refrigerant in a direction substantiallyorthogonal to the flow direction (hereinafter, referred to as the firstdirection A) of the refrigerant flowing through the inlet pipe part 92a, and a second outlet pipe part 92 c, wherethrough flows therefrigerant in a direction along the first direction A. The first branchnozzle part 93 is a pipe member connected to the first outlet pipe part92 b, and extends in a direction substantially orthogonal to the firstdirection A; further, at the tip thereof a first reducer pipe connectingpart 93 a is formed, wherein the pipe diameter changes in steps. Thesecond branch nozzle part 94 is a pipe member connected to the secondoutlet pipe part 92 c, and extends substantially straight along thefirst direction A; further, at the tip thereof, a second reducer pipeconnecting part 94 a is formed wherein the pipe diameter changes insteps, the same as the first branch nozzle part 93. Here, even if theunit branch piping (corresponding to the unit branch piping 54 inFIG. 1) to be connected to the first branch nozzle part 83 is adifferently diametered pipe, it is possible to make the connection bybrazing and the like because the first branch nozzle part 83 can be madeto conform to the pipe diameter of the unit branch piping by cutting thefirst reducer pipe connecting part 83 a using a pipe cutter. Inaddition, even if the branch connecting piping or the unit branch pipingto be connected to the second branch nozzle part 84 is a differentlydiametered pipe, it is possible to make the connection by brazing andthe like because the second branch nozzle part 84 can be made to conformto the pipe diameter of the branch connecting piping or the unit branchpiping by cutting the second reducer pipe connecting part 84 a using apipe cutter, the same as the first reducer pipe connecting part 83 a.Furthermore, because the first branch nozzle part 83 and the secondbranch nozzle part 84 extend in mutually orthogonal directions, a spaceis secured between the first reducer pipe connecting part 83 a and thesecond reducer pipe connecting part 84 a to perform the cutting workwith the pipe cutter.

<Non-Patent Document 1>

1998 Cooling and Heating Handbook-Air Conditioning Volume, MitsubishiHeavy Industries, Ltd.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION Problems Solved by the Invention

If the Y-shaped branch pipe 81, which is the former branch pipediscussed above, is used as the branching pipe joint, then it isnormally disposed so that the Y-shaped branch part 82 faces thehorizontal direction and so that the first branch nozzle part 83 and thesecond branch nozzle part 84 are positioned at the same height(hereinafter referred to as the horizontal branch arrangement). Thereby,the refrigerant that flows in from the union connecting piping or thebranch connecting piping into the Y-shaped branch pipe 81 tends not todrift because the refregerant branches in the Y-shaped branch part 82without any height differential between the directions substantiallysymmetric to the centerline O-O of the inlet pipe part 82 a. However,because the shape of the first branch nozzle part 83 of the Y-shapedbranch pipe 81 extends away from the second branch nozzle part 84 andthen extends along the first direction A, there is a problem in that aheat insulating material 85 (refer to FIG. 2) must be affixed around theportion of the first and second branch nozzle parts 83, 84 where thefirst branch nozzle part 83 extends away from the second branch nozzlepart 84 in the first direction A from the inlet pipe part 82 a of theY-shaped branch part 82, and the vicinity of the branching pipe jointtherefore cannot be made compact. In addition, there is a problem inthat it is troublesome to do the finishing work (hereinafter referred toas the racking process) of wrapping tape around the outer circumferenceof the heat insulating material 85 after affixing it to the connectingpiping and then affixing a face cover.

In addition, if the Y-shaped branch pipe 81 is used as the branchingpipe joint, then there is a case wherein it is disposed below theconnection ports of the corresponding outdoor unit as in the case, forexample, where the outdoor unit is installed on a platform. In such acase, the refrigerant piping, such as the unit branch piping, connectedto the first branch nozzle part 83 must be disposed so that it standsupward, and it is consequently preferable to plumb so that the Y-shapedbranch pipe 81 is disposed so that the Y-shaped branch part 82 faces thehorizontal direction and the first branch nozzle part 83 is on the upperside of the second branch nozzle part 84, instead of the horizontalbranch arrangement discussed above. However, if the Y-shaped branch pipe81 is disposed in this manner, drift occurs such that a large amount ofliquid refrigerant, refrigerator oil, and the like, flows to the secondbranch nozzle part 84 when the gas refrigerant, which accompanies therefrigerant in the vapor-liquid two-phase state and the refrigeratoroil, flows inside the connecting piping. Consequently, if the Y-shapedbranch pipe 81 is used as the branching pipe joint, then there is aproblem in that numerous constraints occur during plumbing work in orderto maintain the horizontal branch arrangement.

However, if the T-shaped branch pipe 91, which is the latter branch pipediscussed above, is used as the branching pipe joint, then the portionwhere a heat insulating material 95 is affixed is just the portion inthe vicinity of the first and second outlet pipe parts 92 b, 92 c of thefirst and second branch nozzle parts 93, 94 in the first direction Afrom the inlet pipe part 92 a of the T-shaped branch part 92 (refer toFIG. 3), and the vicinity of the branching pipe joint can be made morecompact than the case of using the Y-shaped branch pipe 81. However,even if the T-shaped branch pipe 91 is disposed so that it is in thehorizontal branch arrangement, the same as the case of using theY-shaped branch pipe 81, i.e., so that the T-shaped branch part 92 ofthe T-shaped branch pipe 91 faces the horizontal direction, and isdisposed so that the first branch nozzle part 93 and the second branchnozzle part 94 are at the same height position, then the refrigerantthat flows in from the union connecting piping or the branch connectingpiping into the T-shaped branch pipe 91 branches without any heightdifferential between the directions substantially symmetric to thecenterline O-O of the inlet pipe part 82 a, but there is a problem inthat drift tends to occur in the T-shaped branch part 92 because it doesnot branch in directions symmetric to the centerline O-O of the inletpipe part 92 a.

Thus, despite using either the conventional Y-shaped branch pipe 81 orthe T-shaped branch pipe 91 discussed above as the branching pipe joint,it is not possible to achieve both the prevention of drift in the branchpart and a compaction of the vicinity thereof.

It is an object of the present invention to achieve both the preventionof drift in the branch part and a compaction of the vicinity thereof ina branching pipe joint, for distributing the refrigerant flowing insidethe main pipe into two flows, and in an air conditioner providedtherewith.

Means for Solving the Problems

A branching pipe joint according to the first invention is a branchingpipe joint for distributing a refrigerant flowing within a main pipe totwo flows, comprising a substantially Y-pipe shaped branch part, a firstbranch nozzle part, a second branch nozzle part, and a first branchpipe. The branch part comprises an inlet pipe part wherethrough flowsthe refrigerant that flows in from the main pipe, and a first outletpipe part and a second outlet pipe part wherethrough flows therefrigerant along a first direction, which is the flow direction of therefrigerant that flows through the inlet pipe part, and along the firstdirection in directions substantially symmetric to a centerline of theinlet pipe part. The first branch nozzle part is connected to the firstoutlet pipe part and extends along the first direction. The secondbranch nozzle part is connected to the second outlet pipe part andextends along the first direction. The first branch pipe is a pipemember, wherein one end part is connected to a tip part of the firstbranch nozzle during plumbing work, and is bent so that the other endpart faces a direction that intersects the first direction in a stateconnected to the first branch nozzle part. The first branch nozzle partand the second branch nozzle part are disposed so that the spacingbetween the portion of the tip part of the first branch nozzle partnearest the second branch nozzle part side and the portion of the secondbranch nozzle part nearest the tip part of the first branch nozzle partis less than or equal to 40 mm.

This branching pipe joint comprises a substantially Y-pipe shaped branchpart the same as a conventional Y-shaped branch pipe but, unlike theconventional Y-shaped branch pipe, is structured so that the firstbranch pipe can be connected to the tip part of the first branch nozzlepart during plumbing work. Consequently, this branching pipe joint,unlike the conventional Y-shaped branch pipe, does not have a firstreducer pipe connecting part formed at the tip part of the first branchnozzle part, and it is therefore not necessary to secure a space toperform the work of cutting the tip part of the first branch nozzle partusing a pipe cutter, and the spacing between the first branch nozzlepart and the second branch nozzle part (i.e., the spacing between theportion of the first branch pipe of the first branch nozzle part nearestthe second branch nozzle part side of the connecting part and theportion of the second branch nozzle part nearest the first branch nozzlepart side) is consequently less than or equal to 40 mm. Thereby, withthis branching pipe joint, it is possible to compact the vicinity of thebranch pipe more than the conventional Y-shaped branch pipe.

Moreover, because the branching pipe joint is bent so that the other endpart thereof faces a direction that intersects the first direction, in astate wherein the first branch pipe is connected to the first branchnozzle part, it is possible to maintain the horizontal brancharrangement of the branch part even if, for example, the refrigerantpiping connected to the first branch nozzle part is disposed so that itstands upwards. Thereby, this branching pipe joint can prevent drift ofthe refrigerant in the branch part.

Thus, this branching pipe joint is structured so that the first branchpipe, which is bent so that it faces a direction that intersects thefirst direction, can be connected to the tip part of the first branchnozzle part, and it is possible to achieve both a compaction of thevicinity of the branch part and the prevention of drift therein becausethe spacing between the first branch nozzle part and the second branchnozzle part is reduced.

A branching pipe joint according to the second invention is a branchingpipe joint according to the first invention, wherein the first branchpipe is capable of connecting to the first branch nozzle part bybrazing. The spacing between the portion of the tip part of the firstbranch nozzle part nearest the second branch nozzle part side and theportion of the second branch nozzle part nearest to the tip part of thefirst branch nozzle part is greater than or equal to 7 mm.

It is possible with this branching pipe joint to easily connect thefirst branch pipe to the tip part of the first branch nozzle part bybrazing during plumbing work because the spacing between the portion ofthe tip part of the first branch nozzle part nearest the second branchnozzle part side and the portion of the second branch nozzle partnearest the tip part of the first branch nozzle part is greater than orequal to 7 mm.

A branching pipe joint according to the third invention is a branchingpipe joint according to the first or second inventions, wherein theother end part of the first branch pipe comprises a first reducer pipeconnecting part, wherein the pipe diameter changes in steps.

It is possible to connect a refrigerant piping having a differentdiameter with this branching pipe joint because the first reducer pipeconnecting part is formed in the first branch pipe.

A branching pipe joint according to the fourth invention is a branchingpipe joint according to any one invention of the first through thirdinventions, wherein the tip part of the second branch nozzle partcomprises a second reducer pipe connecting part that protrudes furtherthan the tip part of the first branch nozzle part toward the firstdirection side and wherein the pipe diameter changes in steps.

It is possible with this branching pipe joint to secure a space forperforming the work of cutting the second reducer pipe connecting partusing a pipe cutter because the second reducer pipe connecting part,which is formed at the tip part of the second branch nozzle part,protrudes further than the tip part of the first branch nozzle parttoward the first direction side.

A branching pipe joint according to the fifth invention is a branchingpipe joint according to any one invention of the first through thirdinventions, further comprising a second branch pipe. The second branchpipe is a pipe member wherein one end part is connected during plumbingwork to the second branch nozzle part, comprising a second reducer pipeconnecting part at the other end part wherein the pipe diameter changesin steps, and extending along the first direction in a state connectedto the second branch nozzle part.

It is possible with this branching pipe joint to reduce the size of thebranch part in the first direction because it is structured so that thesecond branch pipe, which extends along the first direction, can connectto the tip part of the second branch nozzle part.

An air conditioner according to the sixth invention comprises: at leastone indoor unit; a plurality of outdoor units; a union connecting pipingthat serves as a main pipe extending from the indoor unit to theplurality of outdoor units; at least one branching pipe joint, accordingto any one invention of the first through fifth inventions, that isconnected to the union connecting piping in accordance with a number ofthe outdoor units and that distributes the flow of a refrigerant to twoflows; and a plurality of unit branch pipings that each connects thebranching pipe joint to a connection port of one of the outdoor units.

It is possible with this air conditioner to achieve both a compaction ofthe vicinity of the branch part and the prevention of drift thereinbecause it constitutes a branch structure that distributes therefrigerant from the union connecting piping to the connection port ofeach outdoor unit using at least one branching pipe joint according toany one invention of the first through fifth inventions. Thereby,compared with the case of using a conventional Y-shaped branch pipe, itis possible to reduce the troublesome time when performing the rackingprocess after affixing the heat insulating material to the connectingpiping.

Effects of the Invention

The following are the effects obtained according to the presentinvention, as discussed in the explanation above.

With the first invention, the structure is such that the first branchpipe, which is bent so that it faces a direction that intersects thefirst direction, can be connected to the tip part of the first branchnozzle part, and it is possible to achieve both a compaction of thevicinity of the branch part and the prevention of drift therein becausethe spacing between the first branch nozzle part and the second branchnozzle part is reduced.

With the second invention, it is possible to easily connect the firstbranch pipe to the connecting part of the first branch nozzle part bybrazing during plumbing work because the spacing between the portion ofthe tip part of the first branch nozzle part nearest the second branchnozzle part side and the portion of the second branch nozzle partnearest the tip part of the first branch nozzle part is greater than orequal to 7 mm.

With the third invention, it is possible to connect a refrigerant pipinghaving a different diameter because the first reducer pipe connectingpart is formed in the first branch pipe.

With the fourth invention, it is possible to secure a space forperforming the work of cutting the second reducer pipe connecting partusing a pipe cutter because the second reducer pipe connecting part,which is formed at the tip part of the second branch nozzle part,protrudes further than the tip part of the first branch nozzle parttoward the first direction side.

With the fifth invention, it is possible to reduce the size of thebranch part in the first direction because it is structured so that thesecond branch pipe, which extends along the first direction, can connectto the tip part of the second branch nozzle part.

With the sixth invention, it is possible to reduce the troublesome timewhen performing the racking process after affixing the heat insulatingmaterial to the connecting piping.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an air conditioner.

FIG. 2 is an outline drawing of a conventional Y-shaped branch pipe.

FIG. 3 is an outline drawing of a conventional T-shaped branch pipe.

FIG. 4 is an outline drawing that depicts the structure of a branchingpipe joint according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view taken along the C arrow in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is an oblique view that depicts an example wherein branching pipejoints, according to an embodiment of the present invention, are used inthe branch structure of a connecting piping for distributing arefrigerant to a plurality of outdoor units.

FIG. 7 is an oblique view that depicts an example wherein branching pipejoints, according to an embodiment of the present invention, are used inthe branch structure of a connecting piping for distributing arefrigerant to a plurality of outdoor units.

FIG. 8 is an outline drawing that depicts the structure of a branchingpipe joint according to a modified example.

EXPLANATION OF SYMBOLS

-   1 Air conditioner-   2 Outdoor unit-   3 Indoor unit-   21, 22 Connection ports-   51, 53 Union connecting piping, branch connecting piping, (main    pipes)-   54 Unit branch piping-   181 Branching pipe joint-   182 Branch part-   182 a Inlet pipe part-   182 b First outlet pipe part-   182 c Second outlet pipe part-   183 First branch nozzle part-   184 Second branch nozzle part-   184 a Second reducer pipe connecting part-   186 First branch pipe-   186 a First reducer pipe connecting part-   187 Second branch pipe-   187 a Second reducer pipe connecting part-   S Spacing

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings, a branching pipe joint and an air conditionerprovided therewith according to an embodiment of the present inventionis described below.

(1) Structure of the Branching Pipe Joint

FIG. 4 depicts the structure of a branching pipe joint 181 according toan embodiment of the present invention.

The branching pipe joint 181 comprises a substantially Y-pipe shapedbranch part 182, a first branch nozzle part 183, a second branch nozzlepart 184, and a first branch pipe 186.

The branch part 182 is a portion that has a shape the same as a branchpart 82 of a conventional Y-shaped branch pipe 81 (refer to FIG. 2), andcomprises: an inlet pipe part 182 a, wherethrough flows the refrigerantthat flows in from the main pipe (e.g., a union connecting piping 51 anda branch connecting piping 53 of a gas refrigerant connecting piping 5depicted in FIG. 1); and a first outlet pipe part 182 b and a secondoutlet pipe part 182 c, wherethrough flows the refrigerant along a firstdirection A, which is the flow direction of the refrigerant that flowsthrough the inlet pipe part 182 a and in directions along the firstdirection A substantially symmetric to a centerline O-O of the inletpipe part 182 a.

The first branch nozzle part 183 is connected to the first outlet pipepart 182 b, and extends substantially straight along the first directionA. Moreover, at the tip part of the first branch nozzle part 183 a firstflared part 183 a is formed, wherein the pipe is expanded so that oneend part of the first branch pipe 186 can be inserted, and a firstreducer pipe connecting part is not formed as in the first branch nozzlepart 83 of the conventional Y-shaped branch pipe 81 (refer to FIG. 2).

The second branch nozzle part 184 is connected to the second outlet pipepart 182 c, and extends substantially straight along the first directionA. At the tip part of the second branch nozzle part 184 a second reducerpipe connecting part 184 a is formed, wherein the pipe diameter changesin steps. Furthermore, the second reducer pipe connecting part 184 aprotrudes further than the tip part (specifically, the first flared part183 a) of the first branch nozzle part 183 toward the first direction Aside. Thereby, it is possible to secure a space around the circumferenceof the second reducer pipe connecting part 184 a for performing thecutting work with the pipe cutter. Thus, the second branch nozzle part184 has a shape the same as a second branch nozzle part 84 of aconventional Y-shaped branch pipe 81 (refer to FIG. 2).

Furthermore, unlike the conventional Y-shaped branch pipe 81 (refer toFIG. 2), the branching pipe joint 181 of the present embodiment does notneed to secure space around the tip part of the first branch nozzle part183 to perform the work of cutting such using a pipe cutter, and aspacing S between the first branch nozzle part 183 and the second branchnozzle part 184 (i.e., the spacing between the portion of the firstflared part 183 a of the first branch nozzle part 183 nearest the secondbranch nozzle part 184 side and the portion of the second branch nozzlepart 184 nearest the first flared part 183 a of the first branch nozzlepart 183) can consequently be reduced to less than or equal to 40 mm.Thereby, the vicinity of the branch part 182 of the branching pipe joint181 of the present embodiment can be compacted more that theconventional Y-shaped branch pipe 81 (refer to FIG. 2), the size of theheat insulating material 185 can be reduced when affixing such to thebranching pipe joint 181, and the troublesome work when performing theracking process at the outer circumference of the heat insulatingmaterial 185 can be reduced.

The first branch pipe 186 is a pipe member wherein one end part isconnected to the tip part of the first branch nozzle part 183 duringplumbing work. In the present embodiment, the first branch pipe 186 isinserted during plumbing work by approaching the first flared part 183 aof the first branch nozzle part 183 from the direction of the arrow B asdepicted in FIG. 4, and is connected thereto by brazing. Here, a spacingof at least 7 mm is secured between the portion of the tip part of thefirst branch nozzle part 183 (specifically, the first flared part 183 a)nearest the second branch nozzle part 184 side and the portion of thesecond branch nozzle part 184 nearest the first flared part 183 a.Thereby, it is possible to easily perform the work of connecting thefirst branch pipe 186 to the first flared part 183 a of the first branchnozzle part 183 by brazing. Namely, with the branching pipe joint 181 ofthe present embodiment, the spacing S between the first branch nozzlepart 183 and the second branch nozzle part 184 is set to a dimensionalrange of greater than or equal to 7 mm and less than or equal to 40 mmso that the vicinity of the branch part 182 can be made compact whileensuring the efficiency of the work of connecting the first branch pipe186 to the first branch nozzle part 183 by brazing.

In addition, a first reducer pipe connecting part 186 a, wherein thepipe diameter changes in steps, is formed at the other end part of thefirst branch pipe 186. Furthermore, in the state wherein the firstbranch pipe 186 is connected to the first branch nozzle part 183, theother end part of the first branch pipe 186 is bent so that it faces adirection that intersects the first direction A (in the presentembodiment, a direction substantially orthogonal to the first directionA). Consequently, even in the state wherein the first branch pipe 186 isconnected to the first branch nozzle part 183, a space is secured forperforming the work of cutting the first reducer pipe connecting part186 a of the first branch pipe 186 using the pipe cutter; furthermore, aspace is secured for performing the work of cutting the second reducerpipe connecting part 184 a of the second branch nozzle part 184 usingthe pipe cutter. Thereby, the work efficiency during plumbing isimproved.

Moreover, in a state wherein the first branch pipe 186 is connected tothe first branch nozzle part 183, the other end part is bent so that itfaces a direction that intersects the first direction A. In the presentembodiment, the first branch pipe 186 is bent in a directionsubstantially orthogonal to the first direction A. Consequently, in astate wherein the branch part 182 maintains the horizontal brancharrangement during plumbing work as depicted in FIG. 5 (view taken alongthe C arrow in FIG. 4), the first reducer pipe connecting part 186 a ofthe first branch pipe 186 can be connected to the first branch nozzlepart 183 facing a variety of directions (e.g., arrows D, E, F in FIG.5), and the problem with the conventional Y-shaped branch pipe 81 (referto FIG. 2), wherein there is an increase in the number of constraintsduring plumbing work to support the horizontal branch arrangement, tendsnot to occur.

As described above, the branching pipe joint 181 of the presentembodiment comprises a substantially Y-pipe shaped branch part 182 thesame as the conventional Y-shaped branch pipe 81 (refer to FIG. 2);however, unlike the conventional Y-shaped branch pipe 81, it isstructured so that the first branch pipe 186 can be connected to the tippart (specifically, the first flared part 183 a) of the first branchnozzle part 183 during plumbing work. Consequently, the branching pipejoint 181 is constituted so that the spacing S between the first branchnozzle part 183 and the second branch nozzle part 184 can be reducedbecause a first reducer pipe connecting part is not formed at the tippart of the first branch nozzle part 183, unlike the conventionalY-shaped branch pipe 81, and there is therefore no need to secure spacefor performing the work of cutting the tip part of the first branchnozzle part 183 using the pipe cutter. Thereby, with this branching pipejoint 181, the vicinity of the branch part 182 can be made more compactthan the conventional Y-shaped branch pipe 81.

Moreover, with this branching pipe joint 181, in a state wherein thefirst branch pipe 186 is connected to the first branch nozzle part 183,the other end part of the first branch pipe 186 is bent so that it facesa direction that intersects the first direction A, and it isconsequently possible for the branch part 182 to maintain the horizontalbranch arrangement even if, for example, the refrigerant pipingconnected to the first branch nozzle part 183 is disposed so that itstands upward (refer to arrows E, F in FIG. 5). Thereby, it is possiblewith this branching pipe joint 181 to prevent drift of the refrigerantin the branch part 182.

In other words, this branching pipe joint 181 is structured so that thefirst branch pipe 186, which is bent so that it faces a direction thatintersects the first direction A, can be connected to the tip part ofthe first branch nozzle part 183, and the spacing S between the firstbranch nozzle part 183 and the second branch nozzle part 184 can bereduced; consequently, it is possible to achieve both a compaction ofthe vicinity of the branch part 182 and the prevention of drift therein.

(2) Branch Structure of a Connecting Piping for Distributing Refrigerantto a Plurality of Outdoor Units

The following explains an example of using the branching pipe joint 181of the present embodiment in a branch structure of connecting piping 4for distributing the refrigerant to a plurality of outdoor units 2 in anair conditioner 1 depicted in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 depicts the branch structure for the case wherein the connectingpiping 4 and connection ports 21, 22 of the outdoor units 2 arepositioned at the same height. In this case, the first branch pipe 186of each branching pipe joint 181 is connected by brazing to thecorresponding first branch nozzle part 183 so that the first reducerpipe connecting part 186 a thereof faces toward the correspondingoutdoor unit 2 in the horizontal direction (i.e., in the arrow Ddirection in FIG. 5). Furthermore, each first reducer pipe connectingpart 186 a is cut using a pipe cutter so that it conforms to the pipediameter of the corresponding unit branch piping 54, which extends inthe horizontal direction and is connected to the connection ports 21, 22of the plurality of outdoor units 2, and is then connected to the unitbranch piping 54 by brazing. However, each second branch nozzle part 184is cut using the pipe cutter so that it conforms to the pipe diameter ofthe corresponding branch connecting piping 53, unit branch piping 54,and the like, and is then connected thereto by brazing. The horizontalbranch arrangement of the branching pipe joints 181 is maintained in thebranch structure of the connecting piping 4.

In addition, if the connecting piping 4 and the connection ports 21, 22of the outdoor units 2 are positioned at different heights (e.g., if theconnecting piping 4 is positioned lower than the connection ports 21, 22of the outdoor units 2 by a height H) as depicted in FIG. 7, then it ispossible to constitute, as follows, the branch structure of theconnecting piping 4 for distributing the refrigerant to the plurality ofoutdoor units 2. In this case, the first branch pipe 186 of thebranching pipe joint 181 is connected to the first branch nozzle part183 by brazing so that the first reducer pipe connecting part 186 athereof faces toward the outdoor unit 2 in the vertically upwarddirection (i.e., in the arrow E direction in FIG. 5). Furthermore, thefirst reducer pipe connecting part 186 a is cut using the pipe cutter sothat it conforms to the pipe diameter of the unit branch piping 54,which is connected to the connection ports 21, 22 of the outdoor unit 2and extends in the horizontal direction and then in the verticallydownward direction, and then connected to the unit branch piping 54 bybrazing. On the other hand, the second branch nozzle part 184 is cutusing the pipe cutter so that it conforms to the pipe diameter of thebranch connecting piping 53, the unit branch piping 54, and the like,and is then connected thereto by brazing. The horizontal brancharrangement of the branching pipe joint 181 is maintained even in thebranch structure of this connecting piping 4.

Thus, by using the branching pipe joint 181 of the present embodiment inthe branch structure of the connecting piping 4 for distributing therefrigerant to the plurality of outdoor units 2 in an air conditioner 1,it is possible to achieve both a compaction of the vicinity of thebranch part 182 and the prevention of drift therein. Thereby, comparedwith the conventional Y-shaped branch pipe 81, it is possible to reducethe troublesome work when performing the racking process after affixingthe heat insulating material 185 to the connecting piping 4.

(3) Modified Example

The branching pipe joint 181 discussed above may be structured asdepicted in FIG. 8 so that the tip part of the second branch nozzle part184 is formed as a second flared part 184 b, the same as the firstflared part 183 a of the first branch nozzle part 183, and so that ithas a second branch pipe 187, wherein one end part is connected to thissecond flared part 184 b by brazing (refer to the arrow G in FIG. 8).The second branch pipe 187 is a pipe member that extends along the firstdirection A in a state connected to the second branch nozzle part 184,and at the other end part thereof is formed a second reducer pipeconnecting part 187 a wherein the pipe diameter changes in steps. Inaddition, because the second flared part 184 b of the second branchnozzle part 184 protrudes further than the end part of the first flaredpart 183 a of the first branch nozzle part 183 toward the firstdirection A side, it is possible to ensure good work efficiency whenconnecting the second branch pipe 187 to the circumference of the secondflared part 184 b by brazing.

Thus, with the branching pipe joint 181 of the present modified example,it is possible to reduce the size of the branch part 182 in the firstdirection A because it is structured so that the second branch pipe 187,which extends along the first direction A, can be connected to the tippart of the second branch nozzle part 184.

(4) Other Embodiments

The above explained an embodiment of the present invention based on thedrawings, but the specific constitution is not limited to theseembodiments, and it is understood that variations and modifications maybe effected without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention.

For example, the branching pipe joint according to the present inventionwas used in the above embodiments to branch the union connecting pipingof the connecting piping to the connection ports of the plurality ofoutdoor units, but it may be used to branch the union connecting pipingof the connecting piping to other units so that, for example, itbranches from the union connecting piping of the connecting piping tothe connection ports of a plurality of indoor units.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

By using the present invention, it is possible to achieve both acompaction of the vicinity of the branch part and the prevention ofdrift therein of a branching pipe joint, for distributing therefrigerant flowing within a main pipe to two flows, and an airconditioner provided therewith.

1. A branching pipe joint comprising: a substantially Y-pipe shapedbranch part including an inlet pipe part through which a refrigerantflows in from a main pipe, a first outlet pipe part and a second outletpipe part through which flows the refrigerant along a first direction,which is a flow direction of the refrigerant that flows through saidinlet pipe part, and along said first direction in paths substantiallysymmetric to a centerline of said inlet pipe part; a first branch nozzlepart connected to said first outlet pipe part and extending along saidfirst direction; a second branch nozzle part connected to said secondoutlet pipe part and extending along said first direction; and a firstbranch pipe with an end connected to a tip part of said first branchnozzle during plumbing work, said first branch pipe being bent so thatanother end faces a direction that intersects said first direction in astate in which said first branch pipe is connected to said first branchnozzle part, said first branch nozzle part and said second branch nozzlepart being disposed so that a spacing between a portion of said tip partof said first branch nozzle part nearest a second branch nozzle partside and a portion of said second branch nozzle part nearest said tippart of said first branch nozzle part is less than or equal to 40 mm. 2.The branching pipe joint as recited in claim 1, wherein said firstbranch pipe is configured for connecting to said first branch nozzlepart by brazing; and said spacing is greater than or equal to 7 mm. 3.The branching pipe joint as recited in claim 1, wherein said another endof said first branch pipe has a first reducer pipe connecting part, andwherein a pipe diameter changes in steps.
 4. The branching pipe joint asrecited in claim 1, wherein a tip part of said second branch nozzle parthas a second reducer pipe connecting part that protrudes further thansaid tip part of said first branch nozzle part toward said firstdirection and wherein a pipe diameter changes in steps.
 5. The branchingpipe joint as recited in claim 1, further comprising a second branchpipe having an end connected during plumbing work to said second branchnozzle part, said second branch pipe including a second reducer pipeconnecting part at another end with a pipe diameter changing in steps,and extending along said first direction in a state connected to saidsecond branch nozzle part.
 6. An air conditioner, comprising: at leastone indoor unit; a plurality of outdoor units; a union connecting pipingthat serves as a main pipe extending from said indoor unit to saidplurality of outdoor units; at least one branching pipe joint, asrecited in claim 1, said at least one branching pipe joint beingconnected to said union connecting piping in accordance with a number ofsaid outdoor units and distributing a flow of a refrigerant to twoflows; and a plurality of unit branch pipings that each connects said atleast one branching pipe joint to a connection port of one of saidoutdoor units.
 7. The branching pipe joint as recited in claim 3,wherein a tip part of said second branch nozzle part has a secondreducer pipe connecting part that protrudes further than said tip partof said first branch nozzle part toward said first direction and whereina pipe diameter changes in steps.
 8. The branching pipe joint as recitedin claim 3, further comprising a second branch pipe having an endconnected during plumbing work to said second branch nozzle part, saidsecond branch pipe including a second reducer pipe connecting part atanother end with a pipe diameter changing in steps, and extending alongsaid first direction in a state connected to said second branch nozzlepart.
 9. An air conditioner, comprising: at least one indoor unit; aplurality of outdoor units; a union connecting piping that serves as amain pipe extending from said indoor unit to said plurality of outdoorunits; at least one branching pipe joint, as recited in claim 3, said atleast one branching pipe joint being connected to said union connectingpiping in accordance with a number of said outdoor units anddistributing a flow of a refrigerant to two flows; and a plurality ofunit branch pipings that each connects said at least one branching pipejoint to a connection port of one of said outdoor units.
 10. An airconditioner, comprising: at least one indoor unit; a plurality ofoutdoor units; a union connecting piping that serves as a main pipeextending from said indoor unit to said plurality of outdoor units; atleast one branching pipe joint, as recited in claim 5, said at least onebranching pipe joint being connected to said union connecting piping inaccordance with a number of said outdoor units and distributing a flowof a refrigerant to two flows; and a plurality of unit branch pipingsthat each connects said at least one branching pipe joint to aconnection port of one of said outdoor units.
 11. The branching pipejoint as recited in claim 2, wherein said another end of said firstbranch pipe has a first reducer pipe connecting part, and wherein a pipediameter changes in steps.
 12. The branching pipe joint as recited inclaim 2, wherein a tip part of said second branch nozzle part has asecond reducer pipe connecting part that protrudes further than said tippart of said first branch nozzle part toward said first direction andwherein a pipe diameter changes in steps.
 13. The branching pipe jointas recited in claim 2, further comprising a second branch pipe having anend connected during plumbing work to said second branch nozzle part,said second branch pipe including a second reducer pipe connecting partanother end with a pipe diameter changing in steps, and extending alongsaid first direction in a state connected to said second branch nozzlepart.
 14. An air conditioner, comprising: at least one indoor unit; aplurality of outdoor units; a union connecting piping that serves as amain pipe extending from said indoor unit to said plurality of outdoorunits; at least one branching pipe joint, as recited in claim 2, said atleast one branching pipe joint being connected to said union connectingpiping in accordance with a number of said outdoor units anddistributing a flow of a refrigerant to two flows; and a plurality ofunit branch pipings that each connects said at least one branching pipejoint to a connection port of one of said outdoor units.